chook: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, colloquial; predominantly Australian and New Zealand English. Sometimes humorous or affectionate in other dialects.
Quick answer
What does “chook” mean?
A domestic fowl, especially a hen.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A domestic fowl, especially a hen; also used informally as a term of endearment for a person, particularly a woman or child.
Informal term for chicken (the bird) or, by extension, chicken meat; in Australian and New Zealand slang, can refer to a woman, often affectionately.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Virtually unknown in American English. In British English, extremely rare and likely only understood in context or as a borrowing from Aus/NZ media. Core usage is Australian/New Zealand English.
Connotations
In Aus/NZ: rustic, affectionate, informal. In UK: quirky, possibly humorous if used. In US: likely unrecognized.
Frequency
High frequency in Australian and New Zealand informal speech. Very low to zero elsewhere.
Grammar
How to Use “chook” in a Sentence
Look at those [chooks] scratching in the yard.She's a dear old [chook].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used, except perhaps in anthropological studies of slang.
Everyday
Common in Australian/New Zealand domestic and rural settings.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts; poultry farming uses 'hen', 'layer', 'broiler'.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chook”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Using it to refer to chicken meat primarily (while understood, 'chook' primarily means the live bird).
- Assuming it is universally understood English.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically not; it is affectionate or neutral when referring to a person, though context is key. Calling someone 'an old chook' can be fond or mildly derogatory depending on tone.
Yes, but this is secondary. Phrases like 'I'll roast a chook for dinner' are understood, but the primary meaning is the live bird.
Rarely. It is perceived as an Australasian word. Some might use it humorously or after exposure to Aussie/Kiwi culture.
A 'chook' is generic for a chicken, but often implies a hen. A rooster is specifically the male bird.
A domestic fowl, especially a hen.
Chook is usually informal, colloquial; predominantly australian and new zealand english. sometimes humorous or affectionate in other dialects. in register.
Chook: in British English it is pronounced /tʃʊk/, and in American English it is pronounced /tʃʊk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Mad as a cut snake (sometimes extended to 'mad as a cut chook') meaning very angry or erratic.”
- “Run around like a headless chook (to act in a frenzied, disorganised manner).”
- “Chook raffle (a low-stakes raffle, typically at a social club).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CHICKEN giving you a friendly nudge – it goes 'CHOO-K!' Think 'chicken' + 'look' -> 'chook'.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PERSON (often female) IS A DOMESTIC FOWL: implies familiarity, non-threat, sometimes endearment, sometimes foolishness.
Practice
Quiz
In which dialect is 'chook' a common, informal word?